February 24, 2025
Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania (for himself and Mr. Thompson of California) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable tax credit against income tax for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Credit for qualified access technology for the blind
(a) In general
Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36B the following new section:
36C. Credit for qualified access technology for the blind
(a) Allowance of credit
There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this subtitle an amount equal to amounts paid or incurred during the taxable year, not compensated for by insurance or otherwise, by the taxpayer for qualified access technology for use by a qualified blind individual who is the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or any dependent (as defined in section 152) of the taxpayer.
(b) Limitation
The aggregate amount of the credit allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any qualified blind individual shall not exceed $2,000 in any 3-consecutive-taxable-year period.
(c) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Qualified blind individual
The term qualified blind individual means an individual who is blind within the meaning of section 63(f)(4).
(2) Qualified access technology defined
The term qualified access technology means hardware, software, or other information technology the primary function of which is to convert or adapt information which is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals.
(d) Denial of double benefit
No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.
(e) Inflation adjustment
(1) In general
In the case of a taxable year beginning after 2026, the $2,000 amount in subsection (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
(A)
such dollar amount, multiplied by
(B)
the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting
calendar year 2025forcalendar year 2016in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.(2) Rounding
If the amount as adjusted under subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the next lowest multiple of $100.
(f) Termination
This section shall not apply with respect to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2030.
(b) Conforming amendments
(1)
Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting , 36C
after 36B
.
(2)
Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting , 36C
after , 36B
.
(3)
The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 36B the following new item:
(c) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.